How to Choose a VoIP Service Provider You'll Stick To for Years to Come

My flagship product is VoIP, so yeah, you know why I talk about it every now and then. I absolutely love the technology. It has helped me communicate better with my family and friends while on the road and I also know of a lot of people whose lives have been better connected just by using VoIP products and services. I hope to see more people benefit from the very real way VoIP technology can change the way they communicate.

Voice Over Internet Protocol or VoIP is a breakthrough in communication technology that adds more convenience and practicality to today's communication experience. The main selling point of VoIP especially to residential consumers is that it allows free or cheap local and international phone calls. VoIP products and services also offer functions and applications in one package which the traditional phone systems do not such as internet calling, faxing, voicemail, mobile calling, instant messaging, chat messaging, video calling and even video conferencing, all of which appeals to most small and large businesses.

All VoIP calls are transmitted through the internet. So in order to communicate using VoIP, you will need to subscribe for high speed internet connection and a VoIP service plan. You can make regular phone calls to any phone number to various parts of the world either through PC-to-PC or through a regular phone line by means of an internet router attached to a special VoIP router. All VoIP calls work the same way regardless of your service provider but you will need at least broadband internet connection with a speed of 90 kbps in both directions to get clear transmission and high voice quality.

The type of VoIP service you choose will depend on your communication needs and wants. There are residential/business VoIP service plans, software-based VoIP service, mobile VoIP service, business VoIP service solutions packages and the no-monthly bill VoIP service plans. VoIP service providers offer several types of service plans that truly cost cheaper than traditional phone companies. These service plans, however, do not include high speed internet service. You will need to get internet connection as a separate service to the VoIP plan either from your regular phone company, a cable television provider or through a satellite provider.

A reliable VoIP service provider results to customer satisfaction and loyalty. Many consumers have been known to stick to just one company for all their communication needs despite the lure of competing offers mainly because of reliability. Choosing a VoIP provider, therefore, is a critical decision as it can mean a hassle-free experience for you as consumer. Many people have naively signed service contracts without studying certain features and reviewing contract clauses or phrases and then later on file disputes with their providers only ending up with futile results.

There are many VoIP providers who can be trusted to give you top quality VoIP service solutions. These companies are at the forefront of VoIP advancements. They see to it that they offer consumers the latest and most cutting-edge technology that VoIP can provide and they also continually fine-tune their service plans to remain competitive. As a consumer, you now have more choices with better prices. But, you can also get waylaid into choosing second-rate service providers if you're not well-informed about VoIP. Do your research so you become familiar with VoIP. You can gather accurate information from trusted websites, reading reviews and customer testimonials, and even allowing service providers to give you a presentation of their products and services so that you get a first-hand look at what they can offer.You need to know how to push your way through the various companies out there so you can choose one that is trusted.

Here's a basic checklist of common features that make up a reliable VOIP service provider:

SERVICE PROVISIONS

• Limited and unlimited plans
• Range of local and international service
• Device and other equipment required
• Is the device/equipment to be rented out for the duration of the service plan or is it for purchase?
• Do you need to buy the IP phone or is the existing analog phone model compatible with the VoIP service?
• Trial-run offer
• Emergency calling
• Remote accessibility
• Technical support service
• Equipment repair service

COSTS

• Equipment cost, rental fee/purchase fee
• Installation cost
• Activation fee
• Termination fee
• Rates for Limited and unlimited plans
• Local rates and international rates
• Additional costs/other hidden costs

CONTRACT TERMS

• Duration of service
• Money back guarantee
• Guarantee for quality of service
• Provisions for early termination
• Charges for upgrades and downgrades

ADDED FEATURES

• Caller ID
• Call forwarding
• Call waiting
• Call transferring
• Call logging
• Voice mail
• Fax service
• Multiple number options
• Virtual number option
• Toll-free numbers availability

Unlike in the few years back, the consumer now has a much easier time choosing a VoIP provider that can prove to be reliable since there is a wide selection of VoIP service providers available in today's marketplace. If you know what you are looking for then you can find the right VoIP service provider that can solve your communication needs while allowing you to still keep to your budget range.

There is much to learn about me and my website. When I'm not enjoying my life as a father, husband or son, I am a member of the fraternity known as "Major League Baseball" (MLB). Over the years I've been viewed around the circuit as an intelligent and committed businessman. So I often pride myself for being the multi-dimensional athlete that I am. Extremely grateful for the gift that God has given me, yet being keenly aware that I will not pitch forever. I choose to use my platform as a professional athlete to foster my growth, as well as the growth of others in the world of business. Jasongrilli.com serves as the connection of my business to yours.

Jason Grilli
Perfect Pitch Marketing Group
http://JasonGrilli.com
http://wildpitchmarketing.com